The first meeting of the new Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly took place in the Council Chamber, Dún-Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on Friday 12th July 2024. The meeting marks the start of a new five-year term for the Regional Assembly following the recent local elections.

The meeting brought together representatives from every local authority in the region (Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, South Dublin, Westmeath, Wicklow). The Assembly is made up of 39 Members comprised of elected officials nominated by their constituent local authorities to be part of the Assembly and members from the Irish delegation to the Committee of the Regions, who are nominated by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 22 Members are completely new to the Assembly, 17 are returning from the last term. The regional assembly is the regional tier of government in Ireland and has responsibility for balanced reginal spatial and economic planning and for EU funded programmes.

On this occasion, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald of Laois County Council  was elected as Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly for 2024-2025. Additionally, Cllr David Healy was elected as Leás-Cathaoirleach for 2024-2025.

On the agenda for the meeting, minutes from the previous meeting on 10th May were adopted. An overview presentation of the Regional Assembly’s work and responsibilities was provided bringing all new and existing members up to speed. Also covered as points at the meeting were nominations to external bodies, planning items, a programme of works quarter 2 update, a cohesion alliance joint call and a correspondence piece.

Lastly, the meeting was also the last meeting for Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council and designated Chief Executive of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. We thank her for all her dedication to the Assembly over the years.

Congratulating the new Cathaoirleach and Leás-Chathaoirleach, Acting Director of the Assembly, Clare Bannon said that she and all the staff in the Assembly look forward to working with them and the new Assembly Members over the coming years.

See the full list of Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly members on our Members page.